Christy O'Connor: Had the drama of the Football Qualifiers run its course?

The qualifiers always had the capacity to throw up marquee matches but, in hindsight, how many really were there during the last decade?

James Carr of Mayo celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 4 match between Galway and Mayo at the LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

At the end of the Armagh-Tyrone game last Sunday, the Armagh supporters flooded the field in mad celebration, smothered in delirium, intoxicated with hype and delight. The qualifiers haven’t always necessitated or sparked pitch invasions but the occasion meant far more to Armagh when Tyrone had been put to the sword, especially as reigning All-Ireland champions.

It was everything the qualifiers used to be all about. Two Division One neighbours going head to head with everything on the line. Unbearable tension. A dreaded fear of losing to the other crowd, especially such a deadly rival.